Job Description
HR Ops role: Cezanne system implementation in a growing organisation.
Northampton Hybrid working - 1-2 days a week onsite
9‑month FTC. £45–54k + benefits.
Flexible hours. (Part-time and compressed considered)
This role is ideal for an experienced HR Manager who loves building structure, refining processes, and making systems and payroll work brilliantly – rather than spending most of their time on ER casework.
Importantly, Business Partnering and Employee Relations sit separately, so this role will really appeal if you enjoy the infrastructure and strategic operational side of HR more than the day‑to‑day ER issues.
The focus of the role
You’ll take ownership of HR operations end‑to‑end, with a particular focus on:
* System implementation and development
* Leading the implementation, optimisation, and ongoing development of the HRIS and related HR systems.
* Ensuring data quality, meaningful reporting, and usable dashboards that support evidence‑based decisions.
* Payroll operations & team leadership
* Overseeing payroll operations, working closely with external providers and finance to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll.
* Managing and developing the payroll and HR operations team members – providing direction, coaching, and support.
Alongside this, you’ll:
* Build and refine HR processes, policies, and workflows to create a robust operational foundation.
* Oversee HR administration, onboarding, employee lifecycle, and offboarding processes.
* Support reward and benefits operations including renewals, data, and employee engagement with benefits.
* Drive continuous improvement, simplifying and standardising processes to enhance the employee and manager experience.
* Provide operational insight and data to support wider HR strategy and planning.
About you
You’ll be a strong fit for this role if you:
* Are an experienced HR Operations Manager / HR Manager from a growing or evolving organisation.
* Have solid experience overseeing payroll (with good understanding of HMRC rules and compliance).
* Are confident working with HR systems / HRIS – implementation, configuration, and ongoing development.
* Enjoy designing and embedding processes, workflows, and governance, not just maintaining what’s already there.
* Have managed and developed a team, and enjoy building capability and accountability in others.
* Are analytical, detail‑focused, and care deeply about data integrity and accuracy.
* Are hands‑on, pragmatic, and comfortable working in a dynamic, developing HR environment.
Why this might appeal
This role could be particularly attractive if you’re:
* An HR Manager who prefers infrastructure, systems, data, and payroll over ER casework.
* Motivated by building and improving – putting in place the structures and foundations that enable HR to be proactive and high‑performing.
* Looking for a role where you can have a visible impact on how HR operates and how people experience the organisation day to day.
If this sounds like you and you’d like to explore it further, please get in touch for a confidential conversation or to request the full role profile.